Shon
09-16-2004, 11:32 AM
A majority of Ontarians would support an outright ban on pit bulls, say a poll obtained by Sun Media. Ontarians, horrified by recent reports of ferocious attacks, have strong feelings about the controversial breed, said Nik Nanos of SES Research.
"I think the clear message is that a majority of Ontarians -- almost six out of every 10 -- want the pit bull breed of dog off the streets," he said. "There's a certain image of the pit bull and it's not positive."
Forty-two per cent of people polled said they would strongly support a ban on pit bulls, while 16 per cent somewhat support such action.
Another 15 per cent strongly oppose the ban while 11 per cent somewhat oppose it. Fourteen per cent of people polled were unsure.
Ontario and several communities, including Chatham-Kent, are considering banning the dogs after several attacks.
The most recent happened in Chatham Monday when a man visiting his friend was bitten by a pit bull that charged through a screen door and attacked him.
The attack was similar to one in June in which a Chatham letter carrier's ear was torn off and her wrists broken after a pit bull crashed through a screen door and attacked.
Last week in Chatham, a pit bull attacked a teen, who needed numerous stitches to her legs. Another attacked a Chatham meter reader.
But the co-founder of a non-profit group dedicated to preventing dog bites said education -- not a ban -- is the key to stopping the attacks.
"The government is looking at the wrong end of the leash," said Teresa Lewin, an animal behaviour consultant and co-founder of Milton-based Doggone Safe.
Lewin said a pit bull ban would give the public a false sense of security and do nothing to solve the problem.
Commercials, workshops and education through the school system are needed to teach people what to do when confronted with an aggressive dog, she said.
Doggone Safe teaches kids to stand still if a dog growls at them. They're told not to look at the animal and to count to the highest number they know until help arrives.
Lewin said research shows the breed that bites the most is the golden retriever. But she added their bites aren't as damaging as pit bulls.
All dogs have different reasons for biting and owners need to learn how to read their pets, Lewin said.
Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant launched consultations on whether to ban pit bulls after a Toronto man was attacked last August by two pit bulls. Bryant is expected to reach a decision on a provincewide ban by year's end.
The SES Research poll was conducted Sept. 11 and 12 with 500 eligible voters. Results of the survey are accurate to within 4.5 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.
BAN THE BEAST?
Would you support or oppose a law that would ban owning the pit bull breed of dog?
- Strongly support 42%
- Somewhat support 16%
- Somewhat oppose 11%
- Strongly oppose 15%
- Unsure 14%
- No answer/refused 1%
The SES Research poll was taken Sept. 11 and 12 with 500 eligible voters. Survey results are accurate to within 4.5 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.
"I think the clear message is that a majority of Ontarians -- almost six out of every 10 -- want the pit bull breed of dog off the streets," he said. "There's a certain image of the pit bull and it's not positive."
Forty-two per cent of people polled said they would strongly support a ban on pit bulls, while 16 per cent somewhat support such action.
Another 15 per cent strongly oppose the ban while 11 per cent somewhat oppose it. Fourteen per cent of people polled were unsure.
Ontario and several communities, including Chatham-Kent, are considering banning the dogs after several attacks.
The most recent happened in Chatham Monday when a man visiting his friend was bitten by a pit bull that charged through a screen door and attacked him.
The attack was similar to one in June in which a Chatham letter carrier's ear was torn off and her wrists broken after a pit bull crashed through a screen door and attacked.
Last week in Chatham, a pit bull attacked a teen, who needed numerous stitches to her legs. Another attacked a Chatham meter reader.
But the co-founder of a non-profit group dedicated to preventing dog bites said education -- not a ban -- is the key to stopping the attacks.
"The government is looking at the wrong end of the leash," said Teresa Lewin, an animal behaviour consultant and co-founder of Milton-based Doggone Safe.
Lewin said a pit bull ban would give the public a false sense of security and do nothing to solve the problem.
Commercials, workshops and education through the school system are needed to teach people what to do when confronted with an aggressive dog, she said.
Doggone Safe teaches kids to stand still if a dog growls at them. They're told not to look at the animal and to count to the highest number they know until help arrives.
Lewin said research shows the breed that bites the most is the golden retriever. But she added their bites aren't as damaging as pit bulls.
All dogs have different reasons for biting and owners need to learn how to read their pets, Lewin said.
Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant launched consultations on whether to ban pit bulls after a Toronto man was attacked last August by two pit bulls. Bryant is expected to reach a decision on a provincewide ban by year's end.
The SES Research poll was conducted Sept. 11 and 12 with 500 eligible voters. Results of the survey are accurate to within 4.5 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.
BAN THE BEAST?
Would you support or oppose a law that would ban owning the pit bull breed of dog?
- Strongly support 42%
- Somewhat support 16%
- Somewhat oppose 11%
- Strongly oppose 15%
- Unsure 14%
- No answer/refused 1%
The SES Research poll was taken Sept. 11 and 12 with 500 eligible voters. Survey results are accurate to within 4.5 percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.